There are two different channels from the River Thames that spill over into Swift Ditch.
There is currently a tree with fire damage at its base, across one spillway / weir. I have no idea how that happened.
Back in the 1890s, shown in this picture (possibly by Taunt), the area was much clearer.
Much of Swift Ditch flows under fallen trees and branches. But it makes an interesting walk – along the Thames beyond Abingdon Lock, to Swift Ditch, then back along the farm track by Kingfisher Barn.
If you go over the bridge, over the first stream, you will get to an interesting historical feature.
Between the early seventeenth and late eighteenth centuries Swift Ditch was the main navigation channel with the earliest Pound Lock on the Thames. There is an information board near the spot that tells more. The stones of the lock walls are still in place, but the lock gates are long gone.
Seeing Swift Ditch as it is today it is difficult to imagine how it operated in its heyday. So overgrown and neglected.
The tree that has fallen has been hollow at the bottom for years. A few weeks back some muppet set fire to the hollow causing the tree to fall. Not sure what pleasure they got from doing that but there you go.
Same old boats moored up between the ditch and lock. Most been there years and many unlicensed which seems to be the norm these days. Oh god I’ve turned into an Abingdon winger!